Japan also added a right-handed hitter targeting Lee Ui-ri

“Starter Lee Ui-ri, as long as possible”

‘It’s a double hit’

Second-year infielder Kim Do-young (20, KIA Tigers) was advanced as the second hitter in the second game of theAsian Professional Baseball Championship(APBC ) 2023 preliminary round against Japan on the 17th.

Coach Ryu Joong-il, who met ahead of the game held at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan on this day, explained that the lineup was centered around right-handed hitters, considering that the Japanese starting pitcher was left-hander Chihiro Sumida (Seibu Lions).

Accordingly, left-handed hitter Choi Ji-hoon (SSG Landers), who played at number 2 in the game against Australia the previous day, was moved to number 9.Kim Do-young, who batted at No. 6 against Australia, will bat at No. 2 against Japan.

Kim Do-young appeared as the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the 8th inning against Australia on the 16th and hit a double, setting the stage for a 2-2 tie.Choi Ji-hoon had no hits in 5 at-bats.

Moon Hyun-bin (Hanwha Eagles), who had a high batting average (0.308, 32 hits in 104 at-bats) against left-handed pitchers in the 2023 season, was appointed as the designated hitter.The batting average against right-handed pitchers was 0.244 (67 hits in 275 at-bats).

Japan also added a right-handed hitter to target South Korea's starting pitcher, left-hander Lee Ui-ri.

The number 9 designated hitter was changed from left-handed hitter Akihiro Yuto to right-handed hitter Yuki Nomura while maintaining numbers 1 to 8 in the lineup against Taiwan the previous day.